:BigApplause: The modern MEDIA is contributing to our divisiveness. Major networks and Newspapers are promoting either conservative or liberal viewpoints. They don't report the news but comment and tell us what they want us to believe. Our so called political leaders are not accomplishing anything because they are stuck on hard party line views, and have lost the productive art of compromise.

Since I bought last year, I have heard the STD thing dozens and dozens of times. So here are THE FACTS, gleaned from the CDC, Florida Dept. of Health, and the Census Bureau:

These rates are per 100,000 population and reflect syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia:

National rate: 566.9
Florida rate 538.0

Marion County 520.1
Lake County 377.1
Sumter County 277.9


Now for age adjustment:

statewide over 55:

GC: 313/19,555 cases
chlamydia: 411/77,851
syphilis: 78/1,375

So, if we assume 85% of TV population at peak season of 120,000 there would be 100,000 residents over 55. Florida has close to 20 million residents, about 30% over 55 = 6 million. Therefore about 1/60 of Florida's 55+ population lives in TV. If we evenly distribute the above 55+ cases across the state, we get expected STD cases in TV/year of:

GC: 5.2 cases
chlamydia: 6.8 cases
syphilis: 1.2 cases

And even these numbers are skewed a bit high since not all 55+ residents of these 3 counties live in TV
Hardly epidemic proportions, as you can see your chances (randomly) of contracting a STD is about 1% of the national average. Personal behavior will influence your individual odds
I wish the facts would put the rumor to bed, but we all know it will not happen

You're letting the facts get in the way.

my bad:1rotfl:

If more people would just vote for Hillary, then …. On second thought, let’s not let the facts get in the way. :duck:

We try to move the conversation away from politics whenever possible as we are under the impression that most here are very way to the right. Maybe it is those who are very vocal :rant-rave: happen to be republicans. Not that all are republicans or that all republicans are real vocal.

Maybe that isn't so but it is the impression one gets. The media didn't help as I saw a rally for the republicans I think it was during the last presidential in the villages reported on the network news. The narration was "Seniors rally behind their candidate in central Florida."

I have seldom had any problems being a moderate Democrat here in the Villages since moving here in June 2005. I voted for Bushs twice though for President because I have been a fan of Ronald Reagan and his policies since hearing him speak at the University of Nevada, Reno campus around Homecoming 1981. Some of the Bushs seem like ardent followers of Reagan's various policies. https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600/presidents/georgewbush I try to keep an open mind about politics and listen to people, do research and then make decisions. My 224 613 Project has involved people from all parties getting together to empower survivors/victims of crimes with access to practical information. The responses I received from various politicians in my Photobucket array on Facebook from 1991 through 2005 or so come from both parties. I hear BS from political activists from all the political parties. I do wish more people through would learn how to Google and check whatever a candidate, politician, activist is claiming.

A did not think though good dancers are required to be Republicans or Democrats.

It's how I felt living in Boston for most of my life. It was like watching MSNBC 24/7.

I do recall that at the University of Minnesota Law School (1986-1989) the lone very vocal Republican did get to feel very lonely. There were probably other Republicans there but they did not speak up that much.

Quite different from my 10 days or so at Brigham Young U's Law School in 1982. It would have been the opposite. But again there would have been more Democrats hiding in the shadows.

Thanks, Redwitch, I have experienced the same thing. I have been to club meetings and neighborhood gatherings where very derogatory things have been said about our President and progressives in general. The overwhelming sentiment seems to be that we are all conservatives here and these kinds of comments are the norm. I too love living in The Villages - most people here are kind and accepting and the opportunities for a fulfilling life are abundant. As Americans, we should all love our country and be patriotic regardless of our political views.

The most significant factor regarding STD statistics is not age, but rather race, with blacks, while making up a smaller percentage of the total population, greatly outnumber all other races in the STD stats. Extrapolate that to The Villages demographic, and....voila.

Actually, the race factor tends to even out above age 55. I guess estrogen and testosterone depletion with age are color blind.

Also, with only 802 cases out of 98,781 occurring in the over 55 population, I can't see how race is more significant than age

I agree with Redwitch--there is no true discussion or open mindedness. If you are not on board with another's point of view of politics, role of government or religion, etc. then sarcasm and verbal nastiness often follow. There's little respect for alternate points of view. We've stopped socializing with people like that -- it's not enjoyable, too tiring and life is too short.

Redwitch, I agree completely with every word you said. I moved here from Pinehurst, NC (a predominantly Republican stronghold). Never in my 20 years there did I hear anything even close to the derogatory comments that I hear regularly in The Villages. I don't like to discuss politics, but if I even hint that I am a liberal Democrat, I have had very mean words directed at me.